Retail Recon: Brown Bonanza

If you are one of the many women who looks your best in Espresso Brown and struggles to find coordinates in that key neutral – Chico’s is your new best friend!  Not just one item — but a full set of coordinates you can use to create Color Columns that are the basis for tons of outfits from the garments you already have in your closet …

For starters, you can have your choice of three pant styles. THREE!  I remember seasons when I couldn’t find even ONE brown pant:

The first one above is a boot cut.  Now I don’t agree with the theory that the wider bottom balances out fuller hips.  But because its width will fit down over a shoe, it does camouflage wearing a taller heel for a leggier, leaner lower body look.  Stretch fabric with a smooth pull-on waist finish.

Second:  their Denim Pull-On Jegging.  I love this style for the classic 5-pockt styling plus tummy control of the wide elastic finish and the fact that there’s no zipper or bulky button to create a lump at center front or wear holes in your tops and tunics.

Third is the So Slimming Girlfriend Ankle Jean with built-in tummy control.  Now in a new super-soft stretch denim.  They hit just below the waist and are currently available in a full size range, both regular and tall.

There are two options for matching under-layer or stand-alone tops, plus a fun coordinate.  All three are on sale at $39, with all sizes in stock.

The tunic-length Herringbone Sweater is a washable acrylic/wool blend and features a wide V-neck finish.  It is photographed over a matching microfiber tank, which is already sold out in the brown. (The tank, however,  is in stock in a soft aqua blue that would be a beautiful coordinate.)

The coordinate Ruffled Plaid Blouse get a feminine flair from a center front cascade and the addition of blush color to the mix. Currently on sale for 60% off and in stock in all sizes.

The Featherweight Turtleneck Tunic is a classic that Chico’s runs in lots of colors.  The fabric is a lightweight mix of rayon, cotton and a touch of cashmere and the handkerchief hem creates a longer, leaner silhouette.

The crowning glory of the collection is an Elongated Faux Suede Jacket.  Washable, available in Regular and Petite, and just long enough to wear over the Herringbone Sweater.

And for more versatility, consider topping the brown pant and sweater with this Faux Suede Elongated Moto Jacket in a color called Dessert Tan that sure looks like blush pink to me.  (I usually check out my suggestions in person, but we’re vacationing at the beach, there isn’t a Chico’s within 2 hours drive and I don’t want to delay on alerting you to those sale pieces above.)

Mixing the blush jacket with the brown really pops when you add a linking accessory like the Nested Squares or Brown Smears scarf from our webstore.

And here’s the aqua microfiber tank linked to the brown with the same Nested Squares scarf. Isn’t it amazing how easily things that go together go together?  Happy wardrobe building …